Gilding

I wrote you a novella
the rain carried it away
all the ink upon the paper
dissolves whenever I inveigh

I’m not busy like they think
just here writhing in my fetters
comrades in adjacent cells 
contented with a couple letters 

the key is in the lock
it’s been there for some time
no one seems to want to leave
it’s not all that bad on the line

they bring the daily paper
and three square meals a day
we can even see the morning sun
for an hour, if you can pay

the blankets are merino wool
and I’ve got some weighted dice
maybe I could tempt you
with a gamble for your life

but you’re the greatest of them all
for you I won’t compromise
I could shoulder solitude
I won’t ask you otherwise

I never said to trust my hunger
that was the point of the first exercise
but it still hurts to be reminded
where your loyalty resides

I might move like a spider
the truth is that I’m not
I am a groundless circuit
at times burning too damn hot

maybe if I’m patient 
if I’m quiet and I obey
maybe then they’ll take me
to that center tucked away

put me on a bus bound south
maybe there I’ll get some rest
soothe this aching heart
that’s beating through my chest

so send me down to Alderson
something hope can afford
would you come and visit
maybe then we’d be secured